Following his much anticipated 2022 State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on Thursday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa received some mixed reactions to his speech.

Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) John Steenhuisen commended Ramaphosa for some aspects of his speech, which was delivered at the Cape Town City Hall.

The DA said it was pleased when Ramaphosa said that government does not create jobs but rather that businesses create jobs.

Ramaphosa acknowledged that government must create conditions to enable the private sector to create employment.

The DA wants to see Ramaphosa significantly reform labour legislation and downsize his public sector.

However, Steenhuisen said the President missed an opportunity to inform the nation as to when all his plans would be implemented.

“The proof of the pudding is in the eating and so we caution all South Africans to hold the applause until these announcements become actions, if they ever do,” the DA leader said.

The recent report of the expert panel into the July 2021 unrest concluded that government’s initial handling of the events was inept.

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) treasurer-general Narend Singh said for Ramaphosa to admit that Cabinet will take full responsibility was a big, bold step.

“If the President does not take action he would have failed not only his political party but the country as a whole,” said Singh.

GOOD party MP Brett Herron said although the President spoke extensively about jobs he wanted to hear when the targets would be achieved.

Further, Herron said while it was encouraging to hear that there was a commitment to pursue the outcomes of the Zondo Commission’s State Capture report, the GOOD party was concerned that the National Prosecution Authority was under-resourced.

On the extension of a basic income grant for the needy to March 2023, Herron said his party welcomed the extension and added that it was time for South Africa to commit to a permanent social security grant.

African National Congress chairperson Gwede Mantashe pointed out that while the President outlined government’s vision, it was the duty of the Ministers to develop execution plans.

He said the vision was clear and focused on the management of the Covid-19 pandemic, the economy and security.

African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader Kenneth Meshoe said the President made a number of promises that had been repeated over the years, such as intensifying the fight against gender-based violence.

However, like Steenhuisen, Meshoe gave credit to Ramaphosa for saying that it was not government that created jobs.

On the July unrest, Meshoe said the ACDP was disappointed that no decisive action had been taken against those responsible for national security as people lost their assets, jobs and even lives.

JOBS

SA Canegrowers chairperson Andrew Russell said the organisation welcomed Ramaphosa’s recognition of the sugar industry’s efforts to support and empower small-scale growers for success.

He said the R225-million in transformation funding, raised from grower and miller contributions, was evidence of the industry’s commitment not only to its recovery, but also to its growth and transformation, guaranteeing a future in the industry for generations to come.

“SA Canegrowers will, therefore, be looking to Finance Minister [Enoch] Godongwana’s Budget Speech in the hope that he will announce the scrapping of the Health Promotion Levy which has caused thousands of rural job losses within the sugar industry since its implementation in 2018,” said Russell.

Spokesperson for trade union UASA Abigail Moyo said cutting red tape for businesses would help entrepreneurs and owner-managers get startups off the ground sooner, and grow and create jobs.

Minerals Council South Africa CEO Roger Baxter said although the President was able to outline measures to address the key challenges to the economy, there was a need for urgent, tangible action from the State to enact these strategies.

“We need to move from theor...